Source: Samar M. Syeda et al., Science Advances (14 May 2025).
Early human hand evolution was not a simple journey from “ape hand” to “tool-making hand.” A 2025 study shows that some early hominins had hands built for both climbing and manipulation at the same time. For UPSC Anthropology Paper 1, it is a clear example of the locomotion–manipulation trade-off in human evolution.
Why this matters: it shows early hominin hands combining climbing and precise manipulation, rather than one replacing the other in a straight line.
Syllabus relevance: Anthropology Paper 1 — human evolution, locomotion and the evolution of the hand and tool use.
Best use in answers: use it to argue for mosaic evolution and a trade-off between arboreal locomotion and manipulation.
What the study looked at
In addition, researchers used 3D scanning to measure the internal (cortical) bone thickness of fossil finger bones. Bone remodels according to how it is used, so its internal structure records habitual behaviour. Moreover, the fossils studied were:
- Australopithecus sediba — about 2 million years ago, South Africa.
- Homo naledi — about 300,000 years ago, South Africa.
The findings: a dual-use hand
Furthermore, both species appear to have used their hands in two ways:
- For climbing and grasping branches or rock — an arboreal, weight-bearing use.
- For manipulating objects with some precision — a step towards tool use.
In particular, they were likely capable bipedal walkers that also still spent time climbing. In other words, the hand was a compromise between competing demands.
Why this matters: a trade-off, not a straight line
Similarly, this complicates the simple story of hands evolving purely “for tools.” Instead, early hominins retained a locomotion–manipulation trade-off: hands strong enough for climbing yet dexterous enough for handling objects. In fact, it highlights the mosaic and flexible nature of human evolution, where multiple abilities were kept at once.
Why this matters for UPSC Anthropology
As a result, it supports Paper 1 answers on the evolution of bipedalism, the hand and tool use — map it to the Paper 1 human-evolution syllabus, and see the complete optional guide for strategy.
Use in Answer Writing
Syllabus topic: Human evolution — locomotion, the hand and tool use (Paper 1).
Key concepts to apply: Locomotion–manipulation trade-off; hand morphology; mosaic evolution; arboreality vs bipedalism; Australopithecus sediba and Homo naledi.
How to use it in answers: argue that early hominin hands balanced climbing and manipulation, avoiding the simplistic hands-only-for-tools claim.
Concepts to apply in answers
- Locomotion–manipulation trade-off in the hand
- Mosaic (non-linear) evolution
- Bipedalism alongside retained arboreal ability
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FAQ
Did early human hands evolve only for tools?
No. The evidence points to a trade-off — hands used for both climbing and manipulation at the same time.
Which species were studied?
Australopithecus sediba (~2 million years) and Homo naledi (~300,000 years), both from South Africa.
Where is this useful in the exam?
Paper 1 — evolution of bipedalism, the hand and tool use.
Preparing Anthropology Optional for UPSC?
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Sources
- Syeda et al., finger-bone internal structure in Australopithecus sediba and Homo naledi, Science Advances (2025).